Social Security

You can pay voluntary contributions to protect your rights to a State Pension – check before paying –see if it worth paying below

If you are unsure whether you have paid enough contributions in a tax year, it is worth contacting the Contributions Office of HMRC six months after the end of the tax year to enquire.

Although there is no legal requirement to pay unless you are working, each year you do not pay can reduce your State Pension by about 4%. If you do not pay for about two years you may run out of entitlement to Jobseekers Benefits.

Any Bereavement Benefits may also be reduced if you do not have the required years of NI contributions.

You have four options;

Work as an employee or become self employed and pay contributions on your income. If you work you will have to pay as long as your income is above the lower threshold limit until you reach state pension age.

Sign on for Jobseeker’s Allowance. Credits are given on a week by week basis for as long as you satisfy the conditions.

Claim Employment and Support Allowance if you go sick. Credits are given weekly as in Jobseeker’s Allowance.

Pay Class 3 Voluntary Contributions on a weekly basis. You can apply to the Contributions Office of HMRC to pay contributions by bankers order or you can pay them as a lump sum.

Is it worth paying voluntary contributions?

It is essential to check your position before you pay voluntary class 3 contributions. Telephone the pension service on 0800 731 0649 to see how many years you are short, what it will cost and how much extra pension you could earn by paying.

You can also obtain a satement of your State Pension entitlement on-line through this link GOV.UK

Benefits whilst Unable to Work

Jobseekers Allowances (contributory)

To be eligible for Jobseekers Allowance you must satisfy the following conditions:-

Be fit, available for and actively seeking work
Sign a Jobseekers Agreement
Paid sufficient full-rate National Insurance contributions
How to claim
To claim telephone 0800 055 6688. You can also claim online following this link https://www.gov.uk/jobseekers-allowance

• Your Statutory Sick Pay has ceased

OR- You are self employed or unemployed
AND -You are under State Pension Age
AND – You have paid sufficient National Insurance Contributions

How to claim
Through Job Centre Plus on 0800 328 5644

Contact:
Pension Credit Helpline 0800 991234
And  Local Council Housing Benefit Office.

State Pension Age

State Pension age is the earliest you can get your State Pension.

Current State Pension Age

For men born before 6.12.1953 the State pension age is 65
For women born after 5.4.1950 but before 6.12.53 their State pension age is between 60-65.
Men and woman born between 06/12/53-05/10/54 age 65+. For people born after 5/4/1954 -age 66, born after 5/4/1961 age 67, born after 5/4/1977 age 68. Government intends changing pension for people born after 5/4/1970 (legislation awaited).

You can calculate your State Pension Age by following this link GOVUK

Claiming Your State Pension

Four months before you reach your State Pension age the Pension Service will write to you inviting you to claim.

You can claim in writing, on line following this link GOVUK or by phone 0800 731 7898

Your Choices at State Pension Age
You can:

• Stop working and get your State Pension
• Continue working and get your State Pension
• Put off claiming your State Pension (deferral)

Deferring your State Pension

You can choose not to take your pension at State Pension age and later either receive a bigger State Pension. It is recommended you take advice before you decide.

Could be eligible if partner paid NI for at least 25 weeks ( or died as result of disease/ accident at work) AND At death you were under state pension age.

To claim 0800 7310469

A tax free benefit payable to people aged 65+ who need additional help with personal care because of their illness or disability. To claim 0800 7310122

Disability  Living Allowance

A tax free benefit payable to people who need help with personal care and/or have mobility difficulties and were under 65 when the problem started.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

A new benefit introduced from April 2013. It will replace Disability Living Allowance for disabled people aged 16-64. A tax free non means tested benefit. To claim 0800 9172222.

Entitlement to PIP is not based on your disability but the help you need because of your condition/disability.

A taxable benefit for people who look after a disabled person.

To qualify you must:

• Be aged 16 or over

AND

• Spend 35hrs a week caring for a disabled person who receives Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (care component) or Personal Independence Payment (care component).

Who does not qualify

• People in full time education
• People earning more than £128 per week
• People receiving State Pension or another Benefit worth more than the weekly rate of Carers’ Allowance.

To claim 0800731 0297

There are a range of benefits available to people on a low income and with savings below certain limits.

People Under Pension Age

Contact point your local Job Centre/Local Council Housing Benefit Office

People over Pension Age

Contact:
Pension Credit Helpline 0800 991234
And  Local Council Housing Benefit Office.